Raider Senior Sadie Sinn goes up to score a basket with a Big Green there to block, and fouls Sadie. More pictures at westbendnews.net
By: Joe Shouse, Sportswriter
HAVILAND – Last Thursday the Wayne Trace Lady Raiders battled the Ottoville Big Green through three quarters, trailing by just five heading into the fourth quarter. However, Ottoville turned up the offense and Wayne Trace went cold as the visitors out pointed the Raiders 19-6 to post a 59-41 win. Ottoville improved to 3-0 on the young season while the red-white-and-blue even their mark at 1-1.
In the initial quarter the Raiders kept pace with the Big Green and at one point held a five point lead at 13-8 when Miriam Sinn drained a three pointer. Ottoville answered with the final five points of the quarter to even it up at 13 a piece.
Wayne Trace opened the second period with five unanswered points including a Katrina Stoller triple and two Miriam Sinn free throws to lead again by five at 18-13. The Raider lead was short lived as the Big Green went on a 14-0 run to 27-18 and would never trail again. At the break Ottoville was in control by ten at 30-20.
In the third period the Ottoville lead increased to as many as 13 when Nicole Knippen drained a long three for a 35-22 Ottoville advantage.
Wayne Trace slowly chipped away at the lead and managed to pull to within five at 38-33 on two free throws from Claire Sinn. Both teams would trade baskets in the final minute with Sadie Sinn connecting on a two-point field goal to send the Raiders into the fourth frame trailing by five at 40-35.
The five point deficit quickly turn to 15 when Kasey Knippen hit a two-point goal followed by a three-pointer to put the Big Green in the drivers seat 52-37. Knippen finished the night with 22 points to lead all scorers. Ottoville’s largest lead was 20 at 59-39 before Katrina Stoller closed out the scoring with two free throws to make the final 59-41. Stoller led the Raider scoring with 11 points including a perfect 4-4 at the foul line.
Also scoring for the Lady Raiders was Clair Sinn with nine, Kaylee Shepherd eight, Sadie Sinn six, Miriam Sinn five, and Rachel Stoller two. The Raiders were near perfect at the free throw line hitting 11-12 but 25 turnovers was far too many in a game against a team like Ottoville,
Joining Knippen with double digit scoring was Quinley Schlagaum with 12. Ottoville, like Wayne Trace was solid at the charity stripe hitting 13-14 but also collected 23 miscues.
The Raiders will be on the road at Liberty Center on Thursday, Dec. 6 and then back at home next Tuesday, Dec. 11 when they host county rival Paulding at the Palace.
